Exciting New Addition to Weekend Hunley Tours

For Immediate Release, June 2007
http://www.hunley.org
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Friends of the Hunley
Exciting New Addition to Weekend Hunley Tours
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Dear FRIENDS:

Reminiscent of the recovery of H. L. Hunley in 2000, today a submarine again traveled through Charleston to make its way to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, home of the ongoing archaeological and conservation work on the Hunley. A full-scale model of the Pioneer, the first prototype that led to the development of the Hunley, was moved from the Charleston Museum to the Hunley lab where it will become part of the suite of exhibits on display during weekend tours.

The Robert Bosch Cooperation, which tasks it engineers with constructing historically significant objects as part of training apprentice program, built the model in 2000. The Pioneer is an exciting addition to public tours, and will teach guests about the process of evolution that culminated in the development of the Hunley.

As always, FRIENDS, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the Hunley project.

FRIENDS OF THE HUNLEY


About The Pioneer

The story of the Hunley began in 1862 in New Orleans, Louisiana, when a group of engineers began a venture to build a stealth weapon that traveled underneath the water.

Though the submarine proved seaworthy, the Pioneer was never put into service. Final tests were underway when, in the Spring of 1862, the Union forces closed in on New Orleans. The designers were forced to scuttle the Pioneer in an attempt to prevent the enemy from confiscating the new technology.

Fleeing New Orleans, the Pioneer's inventors went to Mobile, Alabama determined to design another submersible vessel. There the Hunley was built and later sent to Charleston where she would alter the course of military history.

The Union found the Pioneer, studied it, and in 1868 offered the remains at public auction where she was sold for 43 dollars.

The Pioneer and the lessons learned during her testing helped the Hunley accomplish her mission. Over a century later, the Pioneer's symbolic contribution to the development of submarine technology was honored with the creation of a full-scale replica.

Friends of the Hunley
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email: membership@hunley.org
web: http://www.hunley.org
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